In recent years I’d become aware of a bit of a phenomenon sweeping through the ranks of some laaaaydies - boudoir photography.
It’s not something that you see people sharing on their social media of course, but I’ve friends that have done it and it also seems to be popular with brides-to-be as wedding gifts for their soon to be hubbies, and even for hen parties as something a bit different.
While I’m not an exhibitionist, neither am I shy, and so I thought I’d give it a whirl. I rarely like any photographs of myself and so was curious as to what could be achieved with professional help. After all, we constantly give out about the celebs being airbrushed and having armies of makeup artists and hairdressers in tow, so what could I look like if I too, had that help? Also, to quote Baz Luhrman;
In 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine.
I already do that when I see photos of my young teenage self and think, ‘I looked great! What was I so hung up about?’ and so, when I’m old and grey, I’d like something to look back on and say ‘you know what? I was a looker!’, because I figure by that stage, anything will be an improvement on where I’ll be then!
I had heard positive things about ‘Secret Boudoir’ in Dublin 8. They have an all-female team and had been featured by a number of media outlets. Edel is the owner and photographer and put me at my ease from the moment I walked in the door (but I will add that I quaffed back the proffered glass of Prosecco immediately which also helped to steady my nerves).
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A wonderful makeup artist then proceeded to make me look fabulous, all the while having great chats and making me forget about why I was there in the first place. Once I was ready I headed into the studio and Edel showed me around the selection of outfits they have. They range from the demure (think 1950s pin up), through to the fun (military and nurse outfits) to the right out there raunchy (PVC and very little left up to the imagination).
When she left me to make my selection, I did wonder briefly what I had gotten myself into. But once she returned I was at my ease. The whole process was quick and more importantly very professional. It was empowering and fun. All in all it took about three hours from start to finish, and in that time I had great chats, a bit of a giggle and learned how to pose. Not a bad afternoon’s work!
The photos were emailed to me the next week (in a password protected file and definitely NSFW). I was so happy with them. Yes some were a bit silly and made me giggle, but some made me see myself in a way I never had before - I think I looked beautiful. And I don’t feel conceited in saying that. I think that we all deserve to feel beautiful at some point in our lives.
I would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a quick pick me up, maybe as a personal gift for your significant other in your life to spice things up, or even if, like me, you just want to make a memory.
So the question remains, would you dare to bare? Or have you already done this? Would your fella like to find one of these as a gift under the the on Christmas Day? Just don't get the tags mixed up….
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For more information you can contact, Secret Boudoir Photography, Harrington Street, Dublin 2, Ireland, Tel: 01 4251105, Email: [email protected] (gift vouchers available from €99 at www.boudoir.ie/Xmas for more details).
